Gardasil is the first US FDA approved vaccine against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) for use in the US and Canada. This vaccine provides protection from four types of HPV, namely Type 6, 11, 16 and 18. HPV Type 6 and 11 are the viruses that cause genital warts, where as Types 16 and 18 are the cause for cervical cancer. These four HPV are responsible for 70 percent cervical cancer and 90 percent of genital warts.

This recombinant vaccine is not a cure for the disease, but it provides protection against infection. The vaccine is administered in 3 doses over a period of six months. The second injection is taken a couple of months after the first, and the third is after four months. The vaccination can be given to women and girls ranging between the ages of 9 and 26.The specific use of Gardasil is for protection against cervical cancer, vulvar and vaginal cancer, abnormal precancerous cervical, vaginal or vulvar lesions and genital warts.

Cervical cancer is caused either due to multiple sexual partners or sexual activity at an early stage. The vaccine is more effective if administered before any HPV exposure. Hence, it is started at an early stage of 9 years. Gardasil is found to be effective for male genital warts also. This vaccine provides a long term impact on the body. Gardasil is a cost effective treatment for cervical cancer.

L1 is the major HPV capsid protein. It assembles itself to form Virus like Particles (VLP) resembling virions. Gardasil is a recombinant of VLPs from the capsid proteins of four types of HPV. They cannot induce cancer as they lack viral DNA. This triggers an antibody response to protect from HPV infection. Thus, the recipient is protected from infection.

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